Is Carthage or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Carthage is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 58/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 1,460 per 100,000 versus 6,224 for Kansas City — 77% lower. Carthage has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Carthage has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Kansas City is 32.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Carthage — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carthage, MO
Kansas City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carthage | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,459.9 | 6,224.4 | -4,764.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 173.6 | 1,547.4 | -1,373.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 27.6 | -27.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.7 | 74.7 | -49.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 254.0 | -254.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 147.9 | 1,191.2 | -1,043.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,286.3 | 4,677.0 | -3,390.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.4 | 490.4 | -336.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,029.0 | 2,454.9 | -1,425.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 102.9 | 1,731.8 | -1,628.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carthage or Kansas City safer?
Carthage is safer with a total crime rate of 1,460 per 100K vs 6,224 for Kansas City — a 77% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carthage has a violent crime rate of 173.6 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,547.4. Carthage has lower violent crime.
About Carthage, MO
Carthage, Missouri, known as "America's Maple Leaf City," sits in Jasper County. This city of over 15,000 residents is home to the historic Jasper County Courthouse, built with local Carthage stone. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 15,549, Carthage has a total crime rate of 1,459.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Kansas City, MO
Kansas City, Missouri, straddles the Missouri River and is known for its distinct barbecue style. It's the largest city in Missouri by population, with a diverse metropolitan area. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 511,437, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 6,224.4 per 100,000 residents.